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Pitting the Kia Stinger GT vs Audi A5 Sportback
Comparing the Kia Stinger GT and Audi A5 Sportback is monumental because up until Kia threw its own in the ring, there are only a few competitors in the four-door fastback category.
Kia Stinger
Although it was a latecomer, Kia was bold in its move, designing the four-door Stinger fastback with hood vents, tiger-nose grille, unique LED headlamps, and a throng of other athletic elements.
The Stinger also has a “jazzed up” wheels, a beautifully sloping roof, and a silver trim that runs along the windows to the rear of the vehicle. Turning to the rear, you’ll find that Kia fitted the Stinger with dual exhaust tailpipes, thin taillights, and angular vents.
Inside, you can expect a more premium feel for the Stinger GT. There’s Nappa leather seat covers, large touchscreen on top of the dash, and circular air vents reminiscent of a Mercedes.
Audi A5 Sportback
The Audi A5 Sportback, on the other hand, boasts of its spacious cargo area, which owners can access through a liftgate at the rear of the car. The rear seats can be folded down to further expand the already spacious cargo area.
On the outside, the Stinger GT trumps out the A5 Sportback’s reservations to be bold and more alluring that the A4. It shares the Stinger GT’s side vent near the front door, and the Sportback’s character lines aren’t as tamed as the ones on the Kia.
The interior is where the actual competition happens. Audi carved out more space for the cabin. It has better cargo space, leg room, and even shoulder room. The only element where Kia won over is the ample headroom, which is lacking in the A5 Sportback.
The dashboard is based on the MLB Evo platform. It includes the sat-nav as standard, though you can opt for the Virtual Cockpit. If only based on the dashboard, we have to choose the Sportback over the Stinger. There is no competition when it comes to Audi’s cockpit. It’s still the best in the market today.
3 Things You Need To Know About The 2018 Kia Stinger
During the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, Kia unveiled its 2018 Stinger. Not to be mistaken for the K900, the Stinger is much sleeker and sportier. There are no pricing details for the Stinger, but we’ll expect more details in the coming weeks.
Here are the three things we know about the auto so far based from a report:
1. It Is Getting Two Gasoline Options
In the United States, there are two gasoline options. In Europe, a diesel option may be made available. The decision to bring a diesel option to Europe is purely market based. Sorry, American buyers, the diesel option is not going to be brought to your shores.
The range-topping model is going to be the 3.3-liter V-6 engine that produces 365 horsepower, though there is also the entry-level engine—a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that churns out 255 horsepower. Standard to both models is the eight-speed automatic transmission. Buyers will be able to choose between an all-wheel and a rear-wheel drive.
2. The Design Is Aggressive
The Stinger is not prototype Kia. At first glance, it might even look like an Alfa Romeo. The “tiger nose” grille was not the one that separates the Stinger from other sedans in the market. It’s that low stance and muscular proportions that effectively distinguishes this model from anything that Kia made before.
With 190.2 inches of length, it is 4.1 inches longer than one of its competitors, the Audi A4, and it is 5.7 inches longer than the Mercedes Benz C-Class. It also has an 114.4-inch wheelbase, which is longer than any of its competitors.
3. Generous Equipment Should Be Expected
The cabin is home to a number of technologies available in the South Korean market. It has a wireless device charging station, navigation, and 7.0-inch touchscreen. Safety features for the drivers include adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, and a head-up display. For music lovers out there, you can opt for the Harman/Kardon audio system that has 15 speakers and subwoofers beneath the front seat.
Will The Kia GT Concept Be Called The Stinger?
Reports have it that Korean auto maker Kia is working on a sleek sports sedan with a rear-wheel drive. This was apparently first featured in 2011 in the form of the Kia GT concept. Oh, how time flies.
It now carries the codename CK, and has recently been spotted on the back of a truck. Sources said it is set to make its debut later this year at the 2016 Paris Auto Show in September.
Until recent reports that reveal it might carry the Stinger name, this particular Kia was called a GT. Is the revelation that it will be named Stinger a confirmation that the GT would be a sports car performance-wise? After all, Kia used the name Stinger for its sports car concept in 2014.
That particular sports car was ruled out for production because of a low demand, but elements of it—the design and apparently, the name—will be featured on this sedan.
This GT or Stinger is based on the platform used on the Genesis G80 and the G90 sedans. One of the available powertrains for that platform is the twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 fitted in the Genesis sedans. That can produce 365 horsepower. Customers can choose between 4- or 6-cylinder engines.
Whatever it will be called, this new Kia is slated to be a part of the 2018 lineup for the Korean brand. It will fit somewhere in the middle of the Cadenza and the K900, and would compete with style-led sedans such as the Audi A7 and the Mercedes-Benz CLS. The Kia, of course, will be way cheaper.
Cheap cars are the centerfold of Kia’s business model. Though this was a successful strategy at first, Kia and sister company Hyundai are experiencing declining profits amid increasing sales. The new strategy seems to be targeting more profitable segments, such as the one where this new Kia will fit.